Northside Health Library

Allergy shots

Alternate Names

Allergy injections; Allergen immunotherapy

What Are Allergy Shots?

An allergy shot is a when a very small amount of an allergen (such as mold spore, dust mite, animal dander, pollen, or venom from an insect) is injected into your body. A doctor or nurse will give you shots during several visits over the course of 3 - 5 years. A series of allergy shots may help to reduce your allergy symptoms.

First, you will need to work with your doctor to identify which allergens are causing your symptoms. This may be done through allergy skin testing or blood tests. Your doctor will include only the allergens you are allergic to in your allergy shots.

Allergy shots are just one part of an allergy treatment plan. You may also take allergy medications while having allergy shots. Your doctor may recommend that you reduce your exposure to allergens as well.

How Do They Work?

Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system tries to attack the allergen in the body. When this happens, your body creates mucus. This can cause bothersome symptoms in the nose, eyes, and lungs.

Allergy shots are also called "immunotherapy" since they work with the immune system. When a small amount of the allergen is injected into the body, the immune system makes an "antibody" that blocks the allergen from causing symptoms.

After several months of injections of a specific allergen(s) known to cause some of your symptoms, you may feel relief of some or all of your symptoms. The relief of symptoms can last several years. For some patients, allergy shots can prevent new allergies and help asthma symptoms.

Adults, including the elderly, as well as children may receive allergy shots.

People with severe asthma or heart conditions are generally not good candidates for allergy shots. If you take medications, such as ACE inhibitors or beta blockers, you should discuss the risks of allergy shots with your doctor. Pregnant women should not begin allergy shots, but they may be able to continue allergy shot treatment that has already started.

Food allergies are not treated with allergy shots.

Getting Your Allergy Shots

Allergy shots are typically given in your doctor’s office about 1 - 3 times per week for 3 - 6 months. This is called the "build up" phase. Additional doses are given for 3 - 5 years every 4 - 6 weeks. This is called the "maintenance" phase. The shot is usually given in the upper arm area.

Keep in mind that many visits are needed to feel the full effects of this treatment. Your doctor will assess your symptoms on occasion to help decide when you can stop your allergy shot treatment.

Side Effects of Allergy Shots

An allergy shot may cause a reaction on the skin (such as redness, swelling, and itching) or a mild nasal stuffiness or runny nose.

Though rare, it can also cause a severe life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. As a result:

You may need to stay in your doctor’s office for 30 minutes after your shot to check for a reaction.

You may be asked to take an antihistamine or other medication before your allergy shot appointment.

Reactions to allergy shots can be treated in your doctor’s office right away.

When to Call the Doctor

You continue to have symptoms after several months of allergy shots.

You have questions or concerns about the allergy shots and/or your symptoms.